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1 Mathematical Modelling

The document discusses mathematical modeling of physical systems. It provides examples of modeling a parachutist's falling velocity. The modeling process involves: [1] Deriving equations from physical laws like Newton's second law; [2] Solving the equations analytically or numerically; [3] Comparing the solutions to experimental observations. For instance, it models a parachutist's terminal velocity using Newton's law and drag forces, then solves it numerically to calculate velocity over time.

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Edryan Po
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256 views19 pages

1 Mathematical Modelling

The document discusses mathematical modeling of physical systems. It provides examples of modeling a parachutist's falling velocity. The modeling process involves: [1] Deriving equations from physical laws like Newton's second law; [2] Solving the equations analytically or numerically; [3] Comparing the solutions to experimental observations. For instance, it models a parachutist's terminal velocity using Newton's law and drag forces, then solves it numerically to calculate velocity over time.

Uploaded by

Edryan Po
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EMA301

NUMERICAL METHODS

• Mathematical Modelling
Mathematical Modelling
• The three phases of engineering
problem solving in:
a) the precomputer and
b) the computer era
Mathematical Modelling
• A mathematical model can be broadly defined as a
formulation or equation that expresses the essential
features of a physical system or process in
mathematical terms.

• where the dependent variable is a characteristic that


usually reflects the behavior or state of the system;
the independent variables are usually dimensions,
such as time and space, along which the system’s
behavior is being determined; the parameters are
reflective of the system’s properties or composition;
and the forcing functions are external influences
acting upon the system.
Mathematical Modelling
• On the basis of his observations, Newton formulated his second law
of motion, which states that the time rate of change of momentum of
a body is equal to the resultant force acting on it. The mathematical
expression, or model, of the second law is the well-known equation
Mathematical Modelling
Mathematical Modelling
• Other mathematical models of physical phenomena may
be much more complex, and either cannot be solved
exactly or require more sophisticated mathematical
techniques than simple algebra for their solution.
• To illustrate a more complex model of this kind,
Newton’s second law can be used to determine the
terminal velocity of a free falling body near the earth’s
surface. Our falling body will be a parachutist (Fig. 1.2).
Mathematical Modelling
• A model for this case can be derived by expressing the
acceleration as the time rate of change of the velocity
(dv/dt) and substituting it into Eq. (1.3) to yield
Mathematical Modelling
Mathematical Modelling
Mathematical Modelling
Example 1: Analytical Solution to the Falling Parachutist Problem

A parachutist of mass 68.1 kg jumps out of a stationary hot air balloon. Use Eq. (1.10) to compute
velocity prior to opening the chute. The drag coefficient is equal to 12.5 kg/s.
Example 1: Analytical Solution to the Falling Parachutist Problem

A parachutist of mass 68.1 kg jumps out of a stationary hot air balloon. Use Eq. (1.10) to compute
velocity prior to opening the chute. The drag coefficient is equal to 12.5 kg/s.
Example 1: Analytical Solution to the Falling Parachutist Problem

A parachutist of mass 68.1 kg jumps out of a stationary hot air balloon. Use Eq. (1.10) to compute
velocity prior to opening the chute. The drag coefficient is equal to 12.5 kg/s.
Example 1: Analytical Solution to the Falling Parachutist Problem

A parachutist of mass 68.1 kg jumps out of a stationary hot air balloon. Use Eq. (1.10) to compute
velocity prior to opening the chute. The drag coefficient is equal to 12.5 kg/s.
Example 2: Numerical Solution to the Falling Parachutist Problem

Perform the same computation as in Example 1.1 but use Eq. (1.12) to compute the velocity. Employ
a step size of 2 s for the calculation
Example 2: Numerical Solution to the Falling Parachutist Problem

Perform the same computation as in Example 1.1 but use Eq. (1.12) to compute the velocity. Employ
a step size of 2 s for the calculation

• The results are plotted in Fig. 1.5 along


with the exact solution. It can be seen
that the numerical method captures the
essential features of the exact solution.
• However, because we have employed
straight-line segments to approximate a
continuously curving function, there is
some discrepancy between the two
results.
Example 2: Numerical Solution to the Falling Parachutist Problem

Perform the same computation as in Example 1.1 but use Eq. (1.12) to compute the velocity. Employ
a step size of 2 s for the calculation

• One way to minimize such discrepancies is to use


a smaller step size. For example, applying Eq.
(1.12) at 1-s intervals results in a smaller error, as
the straight-line segments track closer to the
true solution.
• Using hand calculations, the effort associated
with using smaller and smaller step sizes would
make such numerical solutions impractical.
• However, with the aid of the computer, large
numbers of calculations can be performed easily.
Thus, you can accurately model the velocity of
the falling parachutist without having to solve
the differential equation exactly.
Example 3: For the free-falling parachutist with linear drag, assume a first jumper is 70 kg and has a
drag coefficient of 12 kg/s. If a second jumper has a drag coefficient of 15 kg/s and a mass of 75 kg,
how long will it take him to reach the same velocity the first jumper reached in 10 s?
Questions or Clarifications?

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